Mass Depopulation & Euthanasia Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Mass Depopulation & Euthanasia Equine Euthanasia The purpose of this presentation is to describe general methods of equine euthanasia. This information was derived from the Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response (FAD PReP)/National Animal Health Emergency Management System (NAHEMS) Guidelines: Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (2015). Adapted from the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (2015)

Euthanasia and Depopulation Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Euthanasia and Depopulation Euthanasia Transitioning painlessly and stress-free as possible Mass Depopulation Large numbers, quickly and efficiently Consideration to welfare as practicable Terms used interchangeably here It is important to understand that USDA APHIS recognizes a difference between euthanasia and depopulation. Euthanasia involves transitioning an animal to death as painlessly and stress-free as possible. Mass depopulation is a method by which large numbers of animals must be destroyed quickly and efficiently with as much consideration given to the welfare of the animals as practicable. However, for the purposes of this document, the terms mass depopulation and euthanasia may be used interchangeably or simply be referred to as “euthanasia,” regardless of whether they are actually considered euthanasia or depopulation. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Euthanasia and Depopulation Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Euthanasia and Depopulation May be practiced during an animal health emergency Goals of Euthanasia Provide humane treatment Select acceptable method Minimize negative emotional impact Safeguard food chain Prevent or mitigate disease spread Euthanasia and depopulation may be practiced during an animal health emergency, such as a major disease outbreak or a foreign animal disease (FAD), to help prevent or mitigate the spread of the disease through the elimination of infected, exposed, or potentially exposed animals. It also serves to remove contaminated livestock from the food supply, protect the nation‘s agricultural and national economy, and safeguard public health. The overall goals of euthanasia are to: provide humane treatment of animals at all times until they are euthanized; select and use an acceptable method of depopulation/euthanasia to be executed as quickly, efficiently, and humanely as possible; minimize the negative emotional and psychological impact on animal owners, caretakers, and the public; prevent adulterated or potentially adulterated meat products from entering the food chain; and prevent or mitigate disease spread in the event of the introduction of a FAD within the U.S. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Handling Goal: Humane Treatment Decrease animal stress, excitement Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Handling Goal: Humane Treatment Decrease animal stress, excitement Do not force animals to travel quickly Avoid electric prods, whips Human body position Flight zones Flags Plastic paddles Handle animals quietly One of the overall goals in conducting euthanasia is to provide humane treatment of animals at all times until they are euthanized. Decreasing stress and excitement during movement and handling will increase equine welfare and increase human safety and efficiency. From a practical as well as a humane consideration, equids must not be forced to travel faster than normal walking speed. The use of whips and prods must be kept to an absolute minimum, i.e. only used when an animal refuses to enter a restrainer or other area. The use of electric prods is not recommended as many horses may react violently to their use, risking injury to themselves and personnel. Instead of electric prods or whips, use moveable partitions as well as hazing with flags, plastic paddles, or sticks with plastic ribbons attached to them as much as possible to move animals. Handle horses and other equids as quietly as possible on non-slip surfaces. Avoid shouting and screaming. Restrain animals in a manner that does not elicit undue risk of injury or pain to themselves or personnel. Animals handled in a rough or hurried manner will become excited, making further handling unnecessarily difficult. As a humane consideration, euthanize non-ambulatory or disabled animals where they are and move them to the disposal site after death. [This photo shows a draft horse looking out of an enclosure. Photo source: Nichollette Rider, Iowa State University] FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Sedation May not be practical in emergency response May complicate disposal Methods of sedation Intravenous Intramuscular via pole syringe In an emergency response effort, sedation or tranquilization of equines before euthanasia may not be possible due to time constraints. In addition, the use of chemical sedation may complicate carcass disposal. In some cases, such as for particularly fractious horses, sedation may be beneficial. If the horse can be approached safely, an intravenous dose of a tranquilizer may be administered. If a horse cannot be approached safely, a pole syringe can be used to administer an intramuscular agent to provide sedation. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Euthanasia Methods Acceptable (noninhalant injectable) Barbiturates Barbiturate derivatives Conditionally Acceptable (physical) Penetrating captive bolt Gunshot Adjunct methods KCL Acceptable and conditionally acceptable methods of euthanasia have been outlined in the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition. For equids, the AVMA has stated that the use of noninhalants such as injectable barbiturates or bariturate derivatives are acceptable means of euthanasia. Conditionally acceptable methods of euthanasia for equids include physical methods such as a penetrating captive bolt or gunshot. The use of potassium chloride, or KCl, can be used as an adjunct method but only if animal is in determined to be in a surgical plane of anesthesia. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Noninhalant Injectables Used if animal considered companion Practical for tractable equines, but slow process Barbiturates most common Sedation prior to euthanasia highly recommended Chemical residue concerns The use of injectable products should be strongly considered when dealing with equids that are considered companion animals. This is particularly true if the owner insists on being present during euthanasia. The sound associated with a gunshot or captive bolt may result in unnecessary emotional distress to the owner. Injectable anesthetics would be practical for tractable equines but the process will be necessarily somewhat slow because it requires individual handling and restraint. In addition, carcass disposal of equines euthanized with injectable agents may be problematic. Major concerns in the use of injectable agents, particularly barbiturates, are the presence of residual chemicals in the carcass which may complicate carcass disposal and the issues of being a controlled substance. Sedation prior to administration of barbiturates is highly recommended. [This photo shows a horse receiving an IV injection. Photo source: Reneé Dewell, Iowa State University] FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Physical- Captive Bolt Appropriate restraint Sedate animals as needed Ensure proper bolt position Bolt Position Place flat against forehead 45° angle from horizontal Have adjunct measure available Use of a penetrating captive bolt with adequate restraint is considered humane and an acceptable method to euthanize equines according to AVMA guidelines. Adequate restraint is critical in order to ensure operator safety and accuracy in bolt placement. Sedate fractious equines prior to euthanasia if at all possible. On equines, the point of entry for the penetrating captive bolt is at the intersection of two imaginary lines drawn from the base of the ear to the lateral canthus of the opposite eye. It is advisable to draw the point using a livestock marker to increase precision of the captive bolt, but this may be impractical in a large scale depopulation effort. The end of the penetrating captive bolt device should be placed firmly but gently flat on the forehead of the animal so that the bolt is aimed toward the foramen magnum. With the head of the animal in a normal postural position, the captive bolt gun will be at approximately a 45o angle to the horizontal. When properly administered, an extended length penetrating captive bolt is usually fatal. An adjunct method such as KCL should be available. The point of entry as illustrated here is the same for a free bullet, but euthanasia by gunshot has significant differences as discussed on the next slide. [This illustration shows the proper aiming point for a captive bolt or gunshot euthanasia in a horse. Photo source: JK Shearer, Iowa State University] FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Physical- Gunshot Conditionally acceptable Species-appropriate ammunition, appropriate caliber weapon Proper training, skills, experience At close range, same point of entry as captive bolt Muzzle should not contact head The use of gunshot is considered a conditionally acceptable, rather than an acceptable, method of equine euthanasia under the AVMA Guidelines because of the potential for human injury. Gunshot may be considered a less desirable form of euthanasia for horses due to their companion animal status and reaction to gunshot. When using firearms at close range, the anatomical site for entrance of the projectile is the same as for the penetrating captive bolt. For safety reasons it is imperative that the trajectory of the bullet should be such that it travels through the brain and down the neck in order to minimize the chance of the bullet exiting the animal. When using a firearm at close range to place a bullet through the brain of an animal, the firearm should NEVER be placed in contact with the head of the animal. Position the muzzle of the firearm 2-10 inches from the intended entry point. As a safety reminder, with the use of firearms for euthanasia, all nonessential personnel should be excluded from the site. Use extreme caution to avoid damage or injury to property or persons in the background beyond the animal. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Adjunct Methods If primary euthanasia measure fails to cause rapid death, adjunct measure must be applied Examples for equids include: IV KCl solution IV narcotics Pithing If the primary euthanasia measure fails to cause rapid death, then an adjunct measure must be immediately applied. The AVMA has listed the injection of a saturated solution of potassium chloride either IV or intracardially. Though not specifically recommended, an overdose of narcotics (disposal and control issues must be addressed), or pithing could also be employed to ensure rapid death and prevent the possibility of a stunned animal regaining consciousness. These methods must only be used on equids in a deep surgical plane of general anesthesia. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Confirmation of Death Confirmation of death can be difficult Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Confirmation of Death Confirmation of death can be difficult Sustained lack of heartbeat and respiration Rigor mortis Evaluate by competent, experienced personnel Following application of the euthanasia technique, a veterinarian or technician will need to verify death by brief examination. Lack of a heartbeat and respiration (at least 10 minutes) as well as onset of rigor mortis are indicators that death has occurred. Animals should be evaluated for confirmation of death by competent and experienced personnel. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Test Template HANDS 2011-03 For More Information FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (MDE) (2015) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/fadprep MDE web-based training module http://naherc.sws.iastate.edu/ More details can be obtained from the sources listed on the slide, available on the USDA website (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/fadprep) and the NAHERC Training Site (http://naherc.sws.iastate.edu/). FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Guidelines Content Authors (CFSPH): Test Template HANDS 2011-03 Guidelines Content Authors (CFSPH): Reneé Dewell DVM,MS Nichollette Rider, Veterinary Student Significant contributions to the content were provided by USDA APHIS VS: Lori P. Miller, PE Darrel K. Styles, DVM, PhD This slide acknowledges the authors and those who made a significant contribution to the content of the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia document. Please see the Guidelines document for others who also provided additional assistance with content development. FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: MDE-Equine USDA APHIS and CFSPH

Acknowledgments Development of this presentation was by the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University through funding from the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Information provided in this presentation was developed by the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, through funding from the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services. PPT Authors: Dawn Bailey, BS; Kerry Leedom Larson, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM Reviewers: Glenda Dvorak, DVM, MPH, DACVPM: Cheryl L. Eia, JD, DVM, MPH, Patricia Futoma, BS, Veterinary Student, Reneé Dewell DVM,MS MSP, CFSPH - 2010